Amber Heard has been ordered to appear in court after she illegally imported her pet dogs into Australia on husband Johnny Depp's private plane.

The A-list actress, whose dogs were threatened with the death sentence if they weren't removed from the country back in May, has been issued with a summons.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that Heard was delivered the summons on Tuesday, requiring her to appear in court.

A statement read: "All animals entering Australia must have an import permit, and have undergone relevant testing and health checks signed off by a government veterinarian from the exporting country to ensure pests and diseases from overseas are not brought here."

The 29-year-old is thought to have transported Yorkshire terriers Pistol and Boo Boo into Brisbane where she was visiting Depp while he shot scenes for the forthcoming Pirates of the Caribbean film.

Failing to declare the animals, the authorities only became aware of their existence when a Gold Coast dog groomer posted a picture of them on Facebook.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce then demanded that the dogs be removed from the country within 50 hours or be put down.